A case of the plague in Athens, Greece, circa 430 CE, has been attributed to smallpox (Littman & Littman, 1969) rather than being a true case of plague.

12th Mar, 0900

Smallpox first described in Persia (now Iran/Iraq) by physician, Rhazes

Smallpox was first described around 900 CE by the Persian physician, Rhazes, who both described the disease (Meyerhof, 1935; Hopkins, 1983) and attempted to provide a distinction between smallpox and measles (The College of Physicians of Philadephia [CPP], 2012; Small & Small, 1996).

The earliest attempts to confront the smallpox virus were based upon anecdotal observations and traditional folk medicine (Hopkins, 1983; Small & Small, 1996; Stein, 2011). In 1000 CE Tibet, it is recorded that the statesman Wang Tan had ground smallpox scabs administered by a nun with medical knowledge to his son in an attempt to save him from smallpox, which had already claimed the lives of his other children (Small & Small, 1996; CCP, 2012; Mercer, 1985).
Image retrieved www.shen-nong.com

Inoculation is also now in practice in the United States by this time, with the scholar, Cotton Mather, having his children inoculated after exposure to the practice through his slave (Hopkins, 1983). Image Retrieved 12Mar2012 from: http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap1/mather.gif

5th Mar, 1721

Newgate Castle Prisoners Inoculated and Survive Smallpox

1721, six prisoners at Newgate castle in London were inoculated with smallpox (Small & Small, 1996). All six survived the procedure despite a period of illness, and this marked the beginning of the practice of inoculation in England.

12th Mar, 1796

Edward Jenner begins experiments with smallpox

Presented with the lore that milkmaids exposed to cowpox were immune to smallpox , in 1796 Jenner began his experiments with smallpox vaccination. In the famously recounted experiment (Hopkins, 1983; Barquet & Domingo, 1997) that would forever change medicine and harken the vaccination era, Jenner took fluid from the cowpox pustules on the hands of milkmaid, Sally Nelmes and scraped it into the skin of and eight year old child, John Phipps. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTuJbA7sVldf

During the 18th century, smallpox caused between 8-20% of all fatalities in England, Norway, and Sweden (Stein, 2011). As early as 1817, Sweden required smallpox vaccination by all citizens (Mercer, 1985; Small & Small, 1996). Image retrieved from: flaghacker.com

12th Mar, 1871

England mandates smallpox vaccination

England adopts requirement that all English citizens must receive the smallpox vaccine.
Image retrieved from: flags.net

12th Mar, 1958

Smallpox eradication efforts begun by World Health Organization

In 1958, the World Health Organization began smallpox eradication efforts to support the compulsory vaccination movement, which was too slowly gaining ground.
Image retreived from: rense.com

12th Mar, 1972

Smallpox eradicated in the U.S.

Expansion of vaccination programs and international efforts led to smallpox being declared eradicated in the U.S. in 1972.
Image retreived from: crwimages.com

12th Mar, 1977

Last case of smallpox reported worldwide

the last known case of smallpox was reported in 1977. The image shows the official smallpox eradication document.
Image retreived from: flickr.com

12th Mar, 1980

Smallpox officially declared eradicated worldwide

In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated worldwide. The smallpox vaccine is no longer compulsory – in fact it is no longer administered as part of the vaccine retinue.
Image retrieved from: theloudproject.blogspot.com

Timespan Dates:

Timespan Title:

Timespan Description:

12th Mar, 0430to12th Mar, 1798

Smallpox claims millions of lives

Smallpox outbreaks are one of the most feared threats to existence prior to the vaccination era.

12th Mar, 0850to12th Mar, 0950

Smallpox first described in Tibet

The disease was also found in descriptions from Tibet (Hopkins, 1983; Small & Small, 1996) suggesting it was known in that country around the same time period.

12th Mar, 1000to12th Mar, 1799

Inoculation (variolation) used to prevent smallpox

Early inoculation, called variolation, from the time of China in 1000 CE to the late 1700’s involved the practice of using smallpox scabs from the skin of infected individuals and scraping it into the skin of healthy individuals (Hopkins, 1983; Mercer, 1985). Unfortunately, this often led to the healthy individual developing smallpox, though because there did appear to be some protective benefit, the practice had gained in popularity (Razzell, 1974 in Mercer, 1985)

12th Mar, 1792to12th Mar, 1796

Edward Jenner begins apprenticeship under John Hunter

Edward Jenner, began his apprenticeship with the surgeon and naturalist, John Hunter. Early in his career, Jenner became well-known for his studies of cuckoos and his reputation of a naturalist in his own right led to an invitation to join the Royal Society.

12th Mar, 1817to12th Mar, 1977

Smallpox eradication efforts are underway

Beginning in Europe, smallpox eradication is undertaken through vaccination. A country by country effort becomes the focus of the World Health Organization goal of worldwide eradication.

12th Mar, 1870to12th Mar, 1900

40-50% of Infant mortalities in the U.S. caused by smallpox

In the United States, where infectious diseases were estimated to cause 40-50 percent of infant mortalities between 1870 and 1900 (Stein, 2011), smallpox vaccination remained much a state-mandate until the mid-twentieth century.